School for Advanced Studies Opens in Doral

A Collegiate Public High School

The School for Advanced Studies (SAS), a public, dual enrollment High School created between Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) and Miami Dade College (MDC), has opened its doors at the MDC-West Campus in Doral.

Established in 1988, this school offers “an opportunity for enrichment and college exploration” for students all around the county. It operates at the different campuses of the Miami-Dade College, and its opening at the MDC-West campus provides an additional choice for high school students in the Doral area.

Dr. Omar Monteagudo, Principal at SAS, is proud to say that “In the past 28 years, SAS has grown from one campus to five, serving the rich and diverse student population across our district. Our school takes great pride in the incredible evolution that has taken place since its inception, having grown from less than 100 students to over 650 students representing all sectors of our district.”

Students at SAS are enrolled in advanced high school subjects along with 3 or 4 college courses every school year, allowing them to receive an MDC Associate in Arts Degree along with their High School Diploma. Graduates from SAS have been admitted to top colleges and universities and the class of 2016 received over $27 million in scholarships. “SAS is truly a Dream Factory and we truly ascribe to the Motto ‘Opportunity Changes Everything’”, said Dr. Monteagudo.

Rigorous program for highly motivated students

Omar Monteagudo

“SAS has a rigorous curriculum that encompasses both advanced placement and college level courses” explained Dr. Monteagudo, adding that students can attend courses in areas such as “science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, arts, humanities, education, social sciences, and health care” along with Advanced Placement courses as a requirement. “We truly believe in leveling the playing field by affording all students with access to advanced level courses.”

“Since SAS is located on five campuses of MDC, our students can avail themselves of courses offered at any of other campuses if for some reason the course they require is not offered on their own campus.” However, students are encouraged to have “a work-life balance” and participate in clubs, projects, competitions, field trips, dances and other activities in and outside the classrooms that enrich their experience the same way as in any other high school.

Free college level education for High School students

Monteagudo explained that transportation is provided through MDCPS for students residing more than two miles from the campuses, but having different locations at the five campuses of MDC allows students to enroll at the one closer to their homes. The five locations for SAS are in North Dade, Downtown Miami, Kendall, Homestead and now in Doral. “Through our generous partnerships with MDCPS and MDC, college tuition, fees and books are waived.”

SAS is a two-year program for 11th and 12th grade students, therefore “prospective students apply in their 10th grade year.” The school holds information sessions at each of the campuses in September, when applications are distributed.

According to Monteagudo, eligible students “must be in 10th grade when they apply, have an unweighted GPA of 3.0, pass all sections of the Post-Secondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), and have excellent attendance and behavior history. In the event that we receive more qualified applicants than we have capacity for by the priority application deadline of December 1st, we would then use a random selection process to admit students for the subsequent school year.”

From a student’s point of view
Felipe Colon graduated from SAS-Kendall in the Class of 2016 and qualifies his experience at the school as “an enriching academic experience. I did not feel as if I was missing out on a regular High School experience, as the students that attend the school are in the same boat as you, trying to succeed in their academics while at the same time finding avenues to explore new insights, interests, and meet new people.”

He graduated from SAS with his Associated in Arts degree and is currently a “Mathematics major, double minoring in Business & Psychology at Florida International University Honors College. In addition, I am an Innovation Strategist Officer at FIU’s startup incubator, StartUP FIU.”

“It was challenging handling both programs, especially because of how little time you have to manage and the caliber of courses one has to take: AP and Dual Enrollment courses. However, with proper diligence, resourcefulness, and determination, SAS can be a fruitful program for one’s intellectual development and academic success.”

A Nationally Recognized High School available for Doral students

Dr. Monteagudo, who holds degrees in Political Science, Latin American Studies and Law from FIU and UF, sets an excellent example of dedication and hard work for his students as Principal of SAS.

He personally has received many accolades throughout his career, including Region Principal of the Year, and under his leadership SAS has been “named National Collegiate High School of Excellence. Student enrollment has increased by over 77%; amount of students earning their Associate in Arts from Miami Dade College concurrently with their high school diploma has increased by 397%; and the school has been recognized by Newsweek, the Daily Beast, US News and World Report, the Washington Post and Niche for providing its students with equity and excellence”.

SAS-West office is located in 3800 NW 115th Avenue, room 1245. For more information on how to enroll at SAS-West Campus in Doral, visit sas.dadeschools.net or call 305-2378540.